“[…] the SCA expressed concerns over information received relating to actions taken and not taken, and statements made and not made, by the CNDH indicating an unwillingness to effectively engage on serious human rights violations, including those relating to torture and conditions of detention, arbitrary detention, freedom of expression and the death penalty.

The SCA notes that the CNDH reports to have increased its efforts to address all human rights violations, including in relation to the issues noted above. The CNDH further reports that, when addressing these issues, it cooperates with relevant national and international actors, including governmental bodies, civil society organizations, OHCHR and the EU.

NHRIs are required to promote and ensure respect for all human rights, democratic principles and the strengthening of the rule of law in all circumstances, and without exception. Where serious violations of human rights are imminent, NHRIs are expected to conduct themselves with a heightened level of vigilance and independence.

In fulfilling its protection mandate, an NHRI must not only monitor, investigate and report on the human rights situation in the country, it should also undertake rigorous and systematic follow-up activities to promote and advocate for the implementation of its recommendations and findings, and the protection of those rights that were found to be violated.

The SCA encourages the CNDH to continue to strengthen its efforts to address all human rights violations and to ensure that its position on these issues are made publicly available, where appropriate, as this will contribute to the credibility and accessibility of the institution for all people in Mauritania. It further encourages the CNDH to conduct follow-up activities to monitor the extent to which its recommendations are implemented.”